You’ve got places to visit that are orderly, fabricated and neatly packaged. Then again, you can come to know that place where unprocessed adventures appear fresh daily, where real characters introduce you to wild horses, whitewater thrills, off-piste powder, trails, glider rides, charmingly creaky restaurants and the perfect bar stool for recounting your legendary day. All in a valley that’s easy to find. And hard to forget.
Your next journey is closer than you think. Just 45 minutes south of Reno and only 12 miles east of South Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley offers an abundance of authentic adventure.
In 1879, Lawrence Gilman purchased the Kent House, located at the time just south of Genoa, thought to be haunted by a stagecoach-robbing ghost. After acquiring land from John M. Gardner, Gilman moved the house to the new site. The Kent House became the Gardnerville Hotel – and the town of Gardnerville was born. Although the old hotel no longer stands, the community spirit lives on; we don’t know about the ghost. Basque dining, sports parks, visitor friendly farms, and a new community center make the town a vibrant destination.
Genoa
Originally established in 1851, the first recorded settlement in Nevada was named Mormon Station, then renamed Genoa in 1855 after the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Genoa was the eastern terminus of frontier mailman John “Snowshoe” Thompson’s route from 1856-1876. Thompson was the first man to ski the Tahoe backcountry and the same peaks that make up our world-famous ski resorts; Heavenly Mountain Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Explore the town’s rich past or get acquainted with a growing culture of food, arts and entertainment.
Minden
Named after Minden, Germany, near the birthplace of H.F. Dangberg, Sr., H.F. Dangberg, Jr. had a vision of community and culture. From 1906-1940 the Minden Inn was frequented by Hollywood stars including Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. Minden Park and Esmerelda Avenue are still the center of this Carson Valley town. You can tour the Dangberg Home Ranch and get a taste of the life of an early ranching family. An upcoming distillery, art center, casino gaming and shopping are just a few of the activities on hand to compliment any stay.
Topaz Lake
Jedediah Smith was the first non-native to traverse the Sierra Nevada, and in spring of 1827 his route took him southeast through Monitor Pass and east past Topaz Lake. Now a man-made reservoir, Topaz Lake was a remnant of a prehistoric sea. Located just south of Gardnerville, Topaz Lake Park is a water sports destination. Known for fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding and camping, Topaz Lake is a stunning oasis where views abound between the arid Great Basin to the east and the towering Sierra Nevada to the west.
If you’re looking for someone who has all the dirt on the best trails to hit in Carson Valley, you can’t do better than checking in with Kate. She and her trusted lab know the lay of the land like the back of her glove.
Photos are the winners of the 2018 Eagles & Ag Photo Contest, courtesy of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce. Kathy Port received the 'Best Birding' nod for her image
Event Details
Photos are the winners of the 2018 Eagles & Ag Photo Contest, courtesy of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce. Kathy Port received the ‘Best Birding’ nod for her image of a mature bald eagle coming in for a landing and Robin Grueninger’s image of a fall field caught the judges’ fancy in the ‘Best Wildlife/Agriculture’ category.
2018Eagles & Ag 2
Eagles & Ag Turns 17!
Carson Valley’s Gathering of Eagles and Celebration of Agriculture is ready for its 17th year, with the event scheduled for
Thursday, January 24th through Sunday, January 27th.
From our Opening Reception and photography exhibit on Thursday evening, to the Falconers Dinner on Friday, the specialty tours and photo workshops on Saturday, to the guided hike on Sunday, we’re ready for another great year!
As always, the tours and events fill quickly, so make your reservations as soon as possible. Click HERE (when available) to see the links to download all the necessary scheduling information (the best approach is to download the event schedule, decide which parts of the event you wish to attend and then visit our registration area to confirm your participation. If you prefer to make your reservations offline, you may download the printable reservation form, fill in the information and mail it to us or you can call us at 775-782-8144 to reserve and pay for your tours.)
As always, space is limited and no reservation is final until full payment is received.
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